Lithium iodine primary cells having novel pelletized depolarizer

Abstract

An improved lithium iodine battery, depolarizer therefor and method of making same in which the depolarizer comprises a pelletized particulate mixture of iodine, an organic polymer of either poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline and a charge transfer complex consisting of the selected organic polymer and iodine wherein the mixture contains from 3 to 30 parts of iodine for each part of total organic.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A depolarizer for use in lithium primary cells comprising a pelletized particulate mixture of iodine, an organic polymer consisting of either poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 1×10 3  and a charge transfer complex consisting of said selected polymer and iodine wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 3 to 30 parts for each part of total organic. 
     
     
       2. A depolarizer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the particulate polymer is less than -100 mesh in size and the particulate iodine is less than -70 mesh in size. 
     
     
       3. A depolarizer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from 15 to 26 parts per part of total organic. 
     
     
       4. A depolarizer as set forth in claim 3 wherein the particulate polymer is equal to or less than -170 mesh in size and the particulate iodine is equal to or less than -100 mesh in size. 
     
     
       5. A method for making a pelletized depolarizer comprising the steps of: a. mixing one part of an organic polymer consisting of poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 1×10 3  and a particle size of less than -100 mesh with from 3 to 30 parts of iodine having a particle size of less than -70 mesh;   b. pelletizing said mixture by placing it in a die of the desired configuration and subjecting it to a pressure of from 5,000 to 15,000 psi.   
     
     
       6. A battery comprising an outer case having an opening therethrough, at least one lithium anode member in contact with said case and a pelletized particulate depolarizer in contact with said anode and consisting of an organic polymer of either poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline, a charge transfer complex of said selected polymer and iodine where the iodine in said depolarizer is present in an amount of from 3 to 30 parts for each part of total organic present, said depolarizer pellet being electrically isolated from said outer case and having a lead member electrically connected thereto, said lead member having an insulating coating thereover and extending from said depolarizer pellet through said opening in the outer case and hermetic seal means for hermetically sealing said outer case. 
     
     
       7. A battery comprising an outer case having an opening therethrough, at least one lithium anode member positioned within said case and insulated therefrom, an electrical lead extending from and in contact with said anode through said opening, a pelletized particulate depolarizer in contact with case and consisting of an organic polymer of either poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline, a charge transfer complex consisting of said selected polymer and iodine, where iodine is present in said depolarizer in an amount of from 3 to 30 parts for each part of total organic present, and means for hermetically sealing said outer case. 
     
     
       8. A battery as set forth in claim 6 wherein said iodine is present in the depolarizer in an amount of from 15 to 26 parts for each part of total organic present. 
     
     
       9. A battery as set forth in claim 7 wherein said iodine is present in the depolarizer in an amount of from 15 to 26 parts for each part of total organic present. 
     
     
       10. A battery as set forth in claim 7 wherein said outer case includes a second opening therethrough, said depolarizer pellet being electrically insulated from said outer case and a second electrical lead electrically connected to said pellet and extending through said second opening.